Laura the Gastronaut > Recipes > Cocktails > Cranberry Jell-O Shots

Cranberry Jello Shots

November 10, 2021 | Updated July 28, 2022 | Laura

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Are you a big cranberry sauce fan? Me too. These cranberry vodka Jello shots are made with cranberry cocktail juice and fresh cranberries for all of the cranberry flavor making them the perfect treat for friendsgiving or Thanksgiving. For the booze, I chose to add in vodka and triple sec. The orange flavoring pairs so well with the cranberries!

Tart, Sweet, & Boozy with all the Cranberry Flavor

Who said that Jello shots can't be fancy? These cranberry Jello shots are like cranberry sauce but with booze which makes them perfect for a friendsgiving or even a Thanksgiving get-together depending on how crazy you want your holidays to get. More cranberry Jello shots = more fun.. right?

These cranberry shots are filled with cranberry juice cocktail, fresh cranberries, and orange zest making them oh so delicious and the perfect holiday Jello shots.

Cranberry Vodka Jello Shots Ingredients

*Some of these ingredient links may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.*

✽ Unflavored Gelatin Powder: I use unflavored gelatin powder instead of Jell-o mix so I can be in control of all the jello flavors and make these shots full of real cranberry flavors. Also, finding a box of cranberry Jello at the grocery store can be difficult!

✽ Cranberry Juice Cocktail: For more flavor, we'll be using juice in place of water. Using juice cocktail also adds in a bunch of sugar which helps cut the tartness of those fresh cranberries. You can also use 100% cranberry juice, but you may want to increase the amount of sugar you add.

✽ Fresh Cranberries: Cooking the cranberries will make them burst giving so much flavor to the gelatin and adds in some real fruit pieces.

✽ Sugar: Just a little sugar will help cut the tartness of the fresh cranberries.

✽ Orange Peel: Oranges and cranberries are a perfect pair. I chose to add in an orange peel while the cranberries cook instead of orange juice (or orange Jello) to increase the orange flavoring without it being too overpowering.

✽ Triple Sec: Triple sec is an orange liqueur that will also add in some orange flavor.

✽ Vodka: You won't taste the vodka in these shots. It's just there to add in some booze. If you can find cranberry vodka at the liquor stores, use that instead for even more deliciousness! Or if you want more orange flavor, you could use orange vodka as well. If you prefer, white rum (light rum) also works in the place of the vodka.

✽ Garnish- Sugared Cranberries + Orange Zest: Optional, but recommended to make these shots look so fancy and perfect for the Thanksgiving table.

How to Make Friendsgiving Cranberry Jello Shots Recipe

➊ In a medium mixing bowl, pour in half cup of cold or room temperature cranberry cocktail juice and sprinkle 2 tablespoons (2 envelopes) of unflavored gelatin on top and let sit.

➋ Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup cranberry juice, 1 cup of fresh cranberries, a strip of orange peel, and 2 tablespoons sugar. Place over medium-high heat until simmering. Lower heat to medium-low and continue to simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. During this time, the cranberries will burst. Use the back of your spoon to squish and mash the cranberries. Remove the orange peel.

➌ Pour the hot cranberries into the bowl with the set gelatin, and whisk together until well combined. Whisk in 1/2 cup triple sec and 1/2 cup of vodka.

➍ Pour mixture into 12 2-ounce plastic shot glasses (disposable plastic cups). I like to set all of my shots on a baking sheet so they are easier to transport. Let chill in fridge for at least 4 hours or until set.

➎ If desired, top with sugared cranberries and orange zest right before serving. Cheers!

Cranberry Jell-O Shots

By Laura | Laura the Gastronaut
Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cook Time: 10 minutes | Chill Time: 4 hours | Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
Yield:12 shots

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Are you a big cranberry sauce fan? Me too. These cranberry vodka Jello shots are made with cranberry cocktail juice and fresh cranberries for all of the cranberry flavor making them the perfect treat for friendsgiving or Thanksgiving. For the booze, I chose to add in vodka and triple sec. The orange flavoring pairs so well with the cranberries!

*Some of these ingredient links may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.*

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups cranberry cocktail juice, divided
• 2 envelopes (~2 tablespoons) unflavored gelatin powder
• 1 cup fresh cranberries
• 1 strip orange peel
• 2 Tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 cup triple sec
• 1/2 cup vodka
• Optional: sugared cranberries + orange zest, for garnish

Instructions

➊ In a medium bowl, sprinkle gelatin powder on top of 1/2 cup of cranberry cocktail juice. Set aside.
➋ In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup cranberry cocktail juice, fresh cranberries, orange peel, and sugar. Place over medium-high heat until boiling then lower to medium-low heat. Continue simmering for 10 minutes. Smash the cranberries with the back of a spoon, and remove orange peel.
➌ Whisk the hot cranberry mixture into the bowl of gelatin. Whisk in triple sec and vodka.
➍ Pour mixture into 2-ounce Jello shot cups. Chill in fridge for at least 4 hours or until set.
➎ If desired, garnish with sugared cranberries and orange zest.

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Category: Alcoholic Shots, Thanksgiving Cuisine: American
Keywords: cranberry jello shots with unflavored gelatin, cranberry fruit jello, thanksgiving jello shots, fancy jello shot recipes, cranberry jelly shots, jello shots with unflavored gelatin

More Holiday Jello Shot Recipes:

✽ Candy Corn Jello Shots (Jello shots that look and taste like candy corn)
✽ Hot Chocolate Jello Shots (the creaminess and chocolately goodness of hot cocoa all inside a Jello shot)
✽ Mulled Wine Jello Shots (a must for all red wine lovers)
→ Check out all of my shot recipes!

Bon appétit!

November 10, 2021 by Laura Ehlers

*This Cranberry Jello Shot blog post and recipe may contain some Amazon affiliate links. These link to products that I personally use and recommend. If you purchase anything using my links, it will not cost you anything. It will though give laurathegastronaut.com some financial support which helps me keep this blog running. Thank you for reading my blogs and your continued support.